WTAE teams up with Pittsburgh Power to broadcast games

WTAE TV, the owner and operator of local television station thisTV Pittsburgh (WTAE 4.2), has formed a partnership that includes exclusive broadcast coverage of Pittsburgh Power Arena Football games on thisTV Pittsburgh. The new relationship also features live play-by-play announcing by Tim Benz and analysis by Craig Wolfley during games broadcast from CONSOL Energy Center.

"The Pittsburgh Power games are a very exciting addition to the growing line up of sports programming on thisTV Pittsburgh. With college football, college basketball and now Pittsburgh Power Arena Football, we have built a robust destination for Pittsburgh area sports fans” said WTAE 4 President & General Manager Michael J. Hayes.

“This partnership between the team and the station will ultimately better serve the fans” said Pittsburgh Power co-owner Matt Shaner. Pittsburgh Power co-owner Lynn Swann believes the combination of Tim Benz and Craig Wolfley will bring a strong dynamic to the viewer experience.

Tim Benz is thrilled to be getting back to his roots doing play by play for the Pittsburgh Power. He is currently the host of the X Morning show on 105.9 the X (WXDX-FM), which is the flagship station of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also has pre and post-game hosting duties on the Pittsburgh Steeler Football Network (WDVE/ESPN RADIO 970). Tim has also hosted baseball magazine shows for the Pittsburgh Pirates, hosted afternoon drive time radio shows on WBGG AM and ESPN RADIO 1250, plus he has been a TV Sports Anchor on WTAE.

Craig Wolfley will begin his third consecutive season as a Pittsburgh Power broadcaster.Wolfley is a 12-year veteran of the NFL who played 10 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and 2 years with the Minnesota Vikings. Craig was selected in 2000 as a member of the Steelers All-Century Team, voted online by Pittsburgh fans as a part of a “team” of the best players to ever wear a Steeler uniform. Craig remains a Steeler as he is a member of the game day network broadcast team, and also co-hosts a radio show with his best friend and former team mate Tunch Ilkin on 970am ESPN Pittsburgh.

The Pittsburgh Power has announced their 2013 local television schedule, with six home games broadcast live from CONSOL Energy Center on thisTV Pittsburgh.

SATURDAY, 3/23 UTAH BLAZE 6:00 PM on thisTV Pittsburgh

FRIDAY, 3/29 JACKSONVILLE SHARKS 7:00 PM on thisTV Pittsburgh

SUNDAY, 4/28 SAN ANTONIO TALONS 2:00 PM on thisTV Pittsburgh

SATURDAY, 5/4 ORLANDO PREDATORS 7:00 PM on thisTV Pittsburgh

SATURDAY 5/11 PHILADELPHIA SOUL 7:15 PM on ThisTv Pittsburgh

SATURDAY, 5/25 CLEVELAND GLADIATORS 7:00 PM on thisTV Pittsburgh

SATURDAY, 6/1 JACKSONVILLE SHARKS 7:00 PM on thisTV Pittsburgh

SATURDAY, 6/15 TAMPA BAY STORM 7:00PM on ThisTv Pittsburgh

SATURDAY, 6/22 ORLANDO PREDATORS 7:00PM on ThisTV Pittsburgh

Several Pittsburgh road games will also be televised on thisTV Pittsburgh with the additional schedule to be announced at a later date.

The Power will also be featured on the AFL’s national television partner, CBS Sports Network for the home regular season finale against the San Jose SabreCats on Saturday, July 13.

thisTV Pittsburgh is broadcast on free over-the-air digital channel 4.2 and distributed on the following cable designations:

ABOUT thisTV PittsburghthisTV Pittsburgh is a free premium movie and sports channel broadcasting to Pittsburgh and the Western Pennsylvania region owned and operated by WTAE Television. thisTV Pittsburgh is affiliated with thisTV network, featuring classic films, modern movies and retro TV shows which include more than 4,000 titles from MGM’s film library. Sports programming includes college football, college basketball and the Pittsburgh Power Arena Football games. thisTV Pittsburgh is broadcast on free over-the-air digital channel 4.2 and distributed on the following cable designations: Comcast 204, Comcast (former Adelphia Systems) 188, Armstrong Utilities 450, Atlantic Broadband 110, Verizon Fios 461, Consolidated 15.

ABOUT WTAE 4WTAE is a digital multi-media company providing news, weather, sports, information and entertainment content on WTAE 4, WTAE.com, and thisTV Pittsburgh. WTAE Channel 4 Action News is honored with prestigious broadcast journalism awards including the Peabody and Edward R. Murrow Award. WTAE Weather Watch 4 is Western Pennsylvania’s most recognized weather forecast provider and is available on air, online, and on mobile phones. WTAE TV, the ABC station in Pittsburgh the nation’s 23rd largest market, is owned by Hearst Television Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Hearst Corporation, a leading media company whose global holdings include 29 television stations and two radio stations.

ABOUT HEARST TELEVISIONHearst Television, a national multi-media company, owns and operates 29 local television stations and two local radio stations, serving 30 U.S. cities and reaching approximately 18% of U.S. television households. The TV stations broadcast 60 video channels, featuring local and national news, weather, information, sports and entertainment programming, and local community service-oriented programs. The stations also host and operate digital on-line and mobile platforms that extend the company’s brands and content to local, national and international audiences. Hearst Television is recognized as one of the industry's premier companies, and has been honored with numerous awards for distinguished journalism, industry innovation, and community service. Hearst Television is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst Corporation, which in 2012 celebrates its 125th Anniversary – including 64 years in television and 84 years in radio. Hearst Television’s Web address is www.hearsttelevision.com.

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